KPM Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaque
KPM Hand-Painted Porcelain Plaque Object Details: • Type: Hand-painted porcelain plaque by KPM (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur, Berlin). • Unframed Dimensions: 4 x 6 inches. • Framed Dimensions: 16 x 13 1/2 x 3 inches (gilded ornate frame with red velvet matting). • Subject: Profile portrait of a young woman, painted in a classical/romantic style with soft features and flowing hair. Notable Features: • Hallmark: Back is marked with the KPM stamp, along with impressed numbers (“10,” “11”) and symbols. • Condition: • Porcelain: Excellent, no visible damage. • Frame: Structurally intact with minor scratches and age-appropriate wear. • Velvet matting: Slight fading but retains period charm. Historical Context: • Likely late 19th to early 20th century based on hallmark and artistic style. • KPM plaques of this nature were highly collectible, often depicting romantic or allegorical subjects. Estimated Value: • Comparable pieces typically sell between $2,000–$6,000, depending on condition, framing, and subject matter. • Artist attribution or further provenance could increase value. Questions for the Appraiser: 1. Can you confirm the authenticity and approximate age based on the hallmarks and style? 2. Is there any way to attribute the artwork to a specific KPM artist? 3. Do the additional marks on the back (“10,” “11”) provide further production details or impact value? 4. Does the frame add significant value, or would unframing the piece appeal more to collectors?
Unframed 4 x 6“ Framed 16 x 13 1/2 x 3“
Inherited
Yes
Hi Michael,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The artist Wagner who painted porcelain plaques for KPM (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur) was Franz Xaver Wagner or another skilled porcelain painter from the Wagner family. The name "Wagner" frequently appears on hand-painted KPM porcelain plaques and other works produced in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
These Pre-Raphaelite-style figures were very popular and this may have been a figure Wagner repeated, or did in a number of different variations.
While larger-format portrait plaques can sell at auction these days for up to $2,000 or more, smaller ones such as your often bring around $500. Yours has a value of $400-600.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique painted porcelain plaque
Painted by Franx Xaver Wagner for KPM (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur)
[DATE MARKS?]
Depicting the head and decolletage of a fair-skinned beauty with dark blond/light brown hair, signed "Wagner," the back impressed "10" and "11" and bearing impressed manufacturer's date marks, in a giltwood frame with dark red velvet liner.
Plaque is 4 x 6 inches; giltwood frame with red velvet liner measures 16 x 13-1/2 inches
CONDITION: This plaque appears to be in very good original condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$------*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
There's often a signature on the front (painted side), most often in very tiny script, along the edges - that's what I'm hoping you'll find and can take a picture of share.
Found it! Just uploaded it!
I'm traveling for work and away from my KPM books so I can't look up the date of manufacture until the weekend so this appraisal isn't quite finished yet but I'll update it as soon as I can - stay tuned.
Excellent, thank you so much
Certainly, it was an easy removal and I just uploaded the photos! Thank you for going to the extra length of getting that information :)